CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Late that afternoon, as they boarded a chartered bus, Meg asked, “Who are all these people, and where are we going?”
“You’ll see,” Sky said with a grin. He gestured towards the first row opposite the driver. “Have a seat.”
Meg tugged at the hem of the blush-colored mini dress before sitting down. “You know Jack and Becky’s secret, don’t you?”
“Yup.”
“Care to share?”
“Nope. But I can tell you that when we get there, Becky needs to speak with you for a minute.” He stood to greet an older couple, before turning to Meg. “Mr. and Mrs. Bishop, I want to introduce you to my girlfriend, Meg. Meg, these are Jack’s parents.”
“Nice to meet you,” Meg said, as she stood and shook their hands.
Sky continued to greet other passengers on the bus. He refused to answer any questions about the events of the previous night, explaining that he wanted to put it behind him for now. “Let’s let the legal system deal with what happened,” he said. “Today is a new day.”
Meg felt herself being tapped on the shoulder, and turned around to find Sky’s father behind her. “Trey! I’m surprised to see you here.”
“Well, I’m surprised to be here,” he said. “I don’t know what in the hell is going on. Jack called me last week, and asked that I join him and Becky for dinner tonight. He wouldn’t say why, though.”
“It’s a mystery to me too,” she said. “Sky won’t tell me what this is all about.”
Trey looked at his son. “I’m proud of him and Jack. They cleaned up last night.”
“Then you should tell him. It’s too bad you couldn’t be there.”
“Yeah. But I’m glad you were. Are you okay after the shooting?”
She nodded her head. “It’s hard to believe that was just twenty four hours ago. So much has happened.”
“Well, I’m relieved that you’re all okay.” He placed a hand on her shoulder. “It’s good to see the two of you together, Meg. You’re good for him.”
Sky interrupted Trey and Meg. “Dad…I’m surprised to see you.”
“Jack said it was important to him that I was here for this dinner. Wish I knew what in the hell was going on.” He extended his hand to Sky. “Congratulations on the three awards last night, son.”
Sky hesitated a moment before grasping his father’s hand. “Thanks, Dad.”
The bus driver announced that they were ready to leave, and asked everyone to take their seats. Meg slid into the first row next to the window, and Sky took the aisle seat next to her. “It’s just a short ride to where we’re going,” he explained.
A few minutes later, when the bus pulled into the parking lot of a wedding chapel, Meg turned to Sky. “Oh my God, are Jack and Becky getting married?”
Sky grinned. “They wanted to keep it a secret until the last minute so the press wouldn’t find out.”
“That’s awesome! I’m so happy for them,” she said.
“Come on,” Sky said, extending his hand to Meg. “Let’s go see the happy couple.”
Jack was waiting for them just inside the chapel door. “Meg, can you go see Becky? She’s in that room, and wants to ask you something.”
“Of course. I’m so happy for the two of you.” She kissed Jack on the cheek, before turning to Sky. “See you later, handsome.”
Meg knocked on the door before entering. “Oh my gosh, you look gorgeous,” she said as she hugged Becky, who was wearing a beaded white sleeveless mini dress.
“Thanks. I’m a little nervous,” Becky replied.
“Aww…don’t be. You’re marrying the man of your dreams!”
“I know, but still…anyway, I wanted to ask you something. Would you be my maid of honor? Sky is Jack’s best man, and I thought it would be perfect if you would be in our wedding party.”
Tears filled Meg’s eyes. “You really mean that?”
“Yes, I do. I have five brothers, but no sisters. And my college roommate couldn’t get away at the last minute. You’re a special person, Meg, and you complete our road family. I can’t think of anyone else here who I’d rather have stand by my side when I marry Jack.”
“Road family…I love that description.” Meg reached out and hugged Becky. “Yes, of course I’ll be your maid of honor. I’m honored you asked me.”
Becky grinned. “Can I make a confession?”
“Sure.”
“When Sky and I went shopping for you, I picked out the dress you’re wearing specifically for the wedding in the hopes you’d stand up for me.”
Meg opened her mouth to reply, but was interrupted by a knock on the door.
“Unless you’re Jack, come on in,” Becky said.
Sky stuck his head inside. “Showtime, if you girls are ready.”
“Ready,” Meg and Becky said in unison.
Moments later, the sound of an organ signaled the start of the wedding ceremony. Sky’s blue eyes locked in on Meg as she walked down the aisle towards him.
During the ceremony, Sky was tortured with thoughts of the shooting incident the night before, and Mallory’s pregnancy claim. Jack and Becky are so happy. I just want the same type of happiness with Meg, but my past has come back to haunt me. He gazed at Meg, who caught his eye and smiled back at him. Will she ever be able to forgive me if Mallory is pregnant and the baby is mine?
His heart raced and his palms became sweaty at the thought of Mallory being pregnant, and he began to pray. Dear God, please don’t let Mallory be carrying my child. I swear, if I just get a second chance, I will be the kind of man that Meg deserves. I swear on my mother’s grave, I will never lie to Meg or cheat on her. I’ll never hurt her intentionally. I swear that I’ll love her with all my heart if I just get a second chance to turn my life around. Please God, help me.
After the wedding and dinner party, most of the guests retreated to their hotel rooms. When Meg yawned and said she was tired, Sky suggested she turn in for the night. “I’ll be up in a little while, but I want to have a drink with my father, if you don’t mind.”
“Sure,” she said. She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. “I’ll probably be asleep when you get in, so I’ll see you in the morning.” She said good night to Trey, and waved towards the other people she knew who were milling around before walking alone down the hallway.
He could feel his heart race as he watched her walk away. “Meg,” he called out.
She stopped and turned around. “Yes?”
He hesitated. “Umm…” Tell her you love her. Just do it. “Umm…sweet dreams, baby.”
She covered her mouth as she yawned. “You too.”
From his seat at the bar, Trey watched the interaction between his son and Meg, and shook his head. When Sky joined him, he said, “You’re a real chicken shit, aren’t you?”
“What are you talking about?”
“You love that girl, but you’re too chicken shit scared to tell her.”
“Dad, really, I…”
Trey cut him off. “Man up for once in your life, Sky. You’ve got a beautiful woman who is smart, hard working, and stands by your side when most would have walked away, but you’re too afraid to tell her you love her.”
“Dad, it’s too soon. I can’t.” He took a deep sip from the glass of whiskey in front of him, and stared straight ahead.
“Better too soon than too late.”
Sky shook his head. “It might be too late anyway.” He related the portions of the previous night’s events that had not yet been covered in the media. “If Mallory is pregnant and the baby is mine, Meg will never forgive me. I’m gonna lose her over this, Dad, and I don’t know what to do.”
“Well,” Trey said with a heavy sigh. “Once again, I’m deeply disappointed in you, son. This isn’t the way I wanted to hear about what might be my first grandchild.”
“Dad…” Sky propped his elbows on the edge of the bar and buried his face in his hands.
He patted his son on the back. “Well, you seem to think that girl has some psychological issues, so the baby, if there is one, might not even be yours. You might get lucky this time. Given all the women you’ve slept with over the years, it’s a wonder this hasn’t happened before to you.”
“Shit,” Sky whispered under his breath. “I don’t know what to do.”
“You’ve got to face it, son. You might be a father in a few months. And I’m not gonna allow a grandchild of mine to be placed in foster care while it’s mother is serving time in a prison or a psychiatric hospital, that’s for sure. If a paternity test proves you’re the father, then you’re gonna have to take custody of it.”
“And what would I do with a baby out on the road? I can’t ask Meg to raise a child that isn’t hers, especially the child of someone who tried to kill her twice.”
“You’ll get another bus and hire a nanny. Maybe that neighbor of yours, Fiona Beasley, can help you out. She’s fond of you, and looks like she’d be good with a kid.” Trey drained his drink, and motioned to the bartender for another round.
“I can’t even think about that yet.”
“Well, you’ve got to have a contingency plan.”
As fresh drinks were placed in front of them, Sky’s cell phone vibrated. He recognized the phone number, and stepped away from the bar to answer it.
Sky wrinkled his brows and ran his free hand through his hair while he listened to the caller. When he finished the conversation, he returned to the bar. He was unable to look his father in the eyes, and stared straight ahead while he poured the glass of whiskey down his throat.
“What was that about?”
Sky’s face was grim as turned towards Trey. “It was the police. The test came back positive. Mallory is pregnant.”